Chinyere Okorocha 
We often talk about burnout like it’s just being tired; something a few hours of sleep or a weekend off can fix. But when it finally hit me, it didn’t feel like a slow simmer. It felt like a sudden collapse and total breakdown.
It happened during what should have been one of the most triumphant moments of my professional life.
I was wrapping up my tenure as Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF). It had been two years of strategic leadership, groundbreaking initiatives, and purposeful advocacy for female lawyers across Nigeria. My final task? Hosting our Annual General Meeting, a culmination of everything we had built.
At the same time, I had agreed to moderate a high-profile panel at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference, the biggest legal gathering in West Africa.
It sounded manageable. After all, I was used to high stakes and tight deadlines. I told myself, You’ve handled more. You can do this.
But behind the scenes, the cracks were widening.
The lead-up to both events was an exhausting whirlwind… endless phone calls, last-minute changes, guest confirmations, speech writing, preparing reports, financials, printing, press, logistics… etc. I barely slept. I barely ate. And I certainly didn’t pause.
On the day of the conference, I arrived at the venue, an hour early, but feeling like I had arrived late to myself. No makeup. Notes unread. Panel questions disorganised. My mind was cloudy, and my heart was racing.
Then my phone rang.
It was someone from the Women Forum team, calling with yet another urgent issue that needed my attention. And in that moment, something inside me just gave way.
I quietly slipped to the back of the hall, sat down on a lonely chair, and burst into tears.
Not a few polite tears. A full-on breakdown. Silent but soul-deep.
For five minutes, I let the weight of everything I’d been carrying these past weeks, pour out of me… overwhelm, exhaustion, frustration, pride, pressure, all at once.
That was my breaking point.
And ironically, it was also my moment of clarity.
Because in that vulnerable space, I realised I had done what so many women leaders do; we carry the world on our shoulders, forgetting that we’re human too.
Here’s what burnout taught me:
1. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Sleep is not optional. Rest is not indulgent. Breaks are not laziness. Your wellbeing is the engine of your impact.
2. Perfection is overrated.
The world won’t fall apart if one task isn’t flawless. Leadership isn’t about doing it all, it’s about choosing what truly matters and trusting others to help.
3. Asking for help is not failure.
Delegation is a leadership skill. I could have leaned on my team more. I didn’t have to carry every detail on my back.
4. Saying “no” is self-preservation.
Every “yes” to something is a “no” to something else; your health, your peace, your joy. Learn to choose wisely.
Yes, I eventually pulled myself together and moderated that session; brushed on some powder, reviewed my notes, and delivered like a pro. The audience never saw the tears.
Yes, the AGM was a resounding success; everything I’d hoped it would be and more…
But I left with something far more valuable than applause: a deep and personal understanding that success shouldn’t cost your soul.
So, to every woman reading this… ambitious, capable, high-achieving woman; please don’t wait for burnout to break you before you listen to what your body and spirit are trying to say.
Your wellness is part of your success story.
Have you ever hit your own breaking point? What did it teach you? I’d love to hear your journey.
With over three decades of experience as a trailblazer in the legal profession, Chinyere Okorocha has established herself as a leading voice in law, leadership, and career growth for women. As a partner in one of the most prestigious law firms in the country, she has not only navigated the complexities of a competitive industry but has consistently broken barriers to become a sought-after leader, mentor, and advocate for women in the workplace.
A devoted wife and proud mother of three, her career development platform, Heels & Ladders, is dedicated to mentoring and guiding women who aspire to redefine success, achieve career mastery, and lead with purpose.